Ags delay in drought aid

During a hearing of the case in the Supreme Court on the issue, the Union government has sought a week to provide drought relief to the State. Chief Minister asks Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah not to visit State till drought rel

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah led a protest outside the Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday against the delay in grant of drought relief by the Centre.

He asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah not to visit the State till they provided drought relief.

uring a hearing of the case –led by the Government of Karnataka in the Supreme Court over the issue, the Union government sought a week’s time to provide drought relief to the State on Monday.

Speaking on this,

Mr.

Siddaramaiah “Our –ght in the Supreme Court Supreme Court and the Centre Union government

SUDHAKARA JAIN –nally relenting and promising drought relief is a testament to Congress’s commitment to the State’s interests,” he said.He added that the “injustice and delay tactics” of the Union government had forced the

State government to approach the Supreme Court. “We have declared drought in 223 of 240 taluks in the State in September, 2023. There is crop loss in 48 lakh hectares. Despite submitting a memorandum for drought relief in October last year itself, the Union government is yet to act on it.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has lied to the people saying we are seeking funds for guarantee schemes. We have self-–nanced our welfare schemes and are not seeking a single rupee from the Centre for the same,” he said. AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka ažairs Randeep Surjewala, Revenue Minister

Krishna Byre Gowda, were among others present at the protest.

Speaking on the issue Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said, “The Supreme Court has given us justice and the Centre has agreed to provide drought relief. BJP has launched an advertising campaign that Congress was picking the pockets of the people in drought relief. But it is the BJP which is picking the pockets of the people and blaming it on Congress.

We have reduced electricity charges and are providing up to 200 units of electricity for free; the BJP is unable to digest this.”

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Congress leaders stage a protest against the Central government over delay in drought relief at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Tuesday.